Ravens to Andrew Luck: We're coming after you, rookie

Jan. 3, 2013
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Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard warms up before facing the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in San Diego. The Ravens won, 16-13 in overtime. On Sunday, they face Andrew Luck and the Colts in a wild-card playoff game. / Gregory Bull, AP

"We have to do everything possible to let him know this is a different season, and we have to do everything to get in his face to disrupt his timing with his receivers and get him to give us the ball,'' Pollard told USA TODAY Sports. "When it's all said and done, he's still a rookie. He's thrown 18 picks.

"The guy's made a lot of plays. He's a special talent. But nobody's perfect. We're going to do everything we can to make him turn back into a rookie.''

Luck has shown remarkable poise as his team's playmaker throughout an 11-5 campaign, leading the Colts from the ashes of a two-win disaster. As the No. 1 overall selection in the April draft, he stepped into the daunting challenge of following Colts icon Peyton Manning.

But as precocious as Luck has been, he's been sacked 41 times. He has thrown 18 interceptions and 23 touchdown passes.

The Ravens vow to rattle Luck at M@T Bank Stadium, where they're 34-7, including one playoff win under coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore will be riding the emotions of having linebacker Ray Lewis back from injury in his final playoff run. Lewis announced he is retiring after the season ends.

"It's about blood in the water for sure,'' linebacker Paul Kruger said. "There are going to be opportunities for plays, no doubt. It starts with us stopping the run. And then going and getting something going for ourselves, whether we're hitting him or tipping the ball or an interception, sacking him -- all those things come with him holding the ball.''

Added linebacker Dannell Ellerbe: "We want to get after him. Hopefully, we can turn him back into a rookie.''

The Ravens tried to mix reverence with swagger as they try to get inside Luck's head.